Mike Huckabee on Families & Children Former Republican AR Governor

Don't allow kids to listen to toxic music like Beyonce

HUCKABEE: You know, if people read the full chapter, it's in the context of first of all saying Beyonce is a wonderful talent. My point is, she doesn't have to do some of the things that she does in the lyrics, because it's not necessary. She has nothing to make up for. But it was President Obama who said that some of the lyrics he won't listen to with his daughters because it embarrasses him. Well, here's my point, if it embarrasses you then why would you possibly think it's wholesome for your children to put it into their heads? The Obamas are great parents; they're careful about making sure their kids get a lot of vegetables & eat right. That's terrific. But what you put in your brain is also important as well as what you put into your body.

Christian society discourages out-of-wedlock pregnancies

'Town A' is secular. Very few people attend church. Divorce rates are very high along with promiscuity and a general confusion as to the definition of 'marriage' or its importance. Many children grow up in single-parent homes; many drop out of school. Drug abuse is high, as is alcoholism. Sexually Transmitted Diseases are rampant, unwanted pregnancies are common. Gangs are prevalent.

Now, let's consider 'Town B,' which embraces a Christian worldview. What is this town like? Generally, in this town families stay together and children grow up with a healthy self-esteem. Most of the kids graduate from high school and become good, productive citizens. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and teenage pregnancies are rare. Drug abuse is extremely low and gangs are virtually nonexistent.

In AR, issued Family Protection Policy Directive

During my tenure as governor we:
• Issued the Family Protection Policy Directive to state agencies (1997)
• Hosted three conferences on the family (1997, 1999, 2001)
• Organized and hosted the Celebration of Marriage (Valentine's Day 2005)
• Signed legislation outlawing same-sex marriage in Arkansas (1997)
• Signed the bill allowing judges to require divorcing parents to participate in divorce mediation (1999)
• Encouraged every community in Arkansas to implement a community marriage policy
• Passed the nation's third Covenant Marriage law (2001)
• Eliminated the marriage penalty from the tax code (1997)
• Doubled the child care tax credit (1997)
• Protected the right of parents to home-school their children (1997 and 1999)

Supports traditional marriage and covenant marriage

Strong government relies on strong families

Understand the totality of the American family

Marriage relationship between one man, one woman, for life

A: I would try to do the same things that I did as governor of Arkansas, where I led a constitutional amendment that was passed overwhelmingly by our voters that affirmed what marriage is. Marriage is a relationship between one man, one woman, for life. I also believe that we need to do other things. I declared a state of marital emergency in our state, called pastors and other clergy together to commit to community marriage policies, to not engage in carrying on marriages unless they had counseled with the couple beforehand. We were one of the few states that passed a covenant marriage bill in Arkansas. I would support strongly and lead--not just support, but lead--an effort to have a constitutional amendment to affirm marriage as between one man, one woman, for life.

High divorce rate fails at presenting role model

The basic purpose of a parent is to train his replacement. Where are kids going to learn what a family looks like, what a marriage looks like, if most the marriages in this country end in divorce?

I want us to be very careful that we don’t come across as having some type of animosity or hatred toward people, even those whose lifestyles are inexplicable to us. But by the same token, as a Christian, we are obligated to stand for that institution that is the only institution from which there really is the definition of family, and that’s mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, people related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

Supports convenant marriage; adopted it in Arkansas

Teach kids immovable standards of right & wrong

We tell our kids, “It does not matter what you believe as long as you are sincere,” and “Do your best.” We want to say, “You have a disorder or disability,” or any of the scores of euphemisms people use. Yet all we are doing is struggling to cover up immoral, improper, illegal, or boorish behavior.

We refuse to direct our children and then run around moaning, “What is wrong with our kids today? Look at the violence! Look at the decadence! Look at the drug addiction and alcohol addiction and lack of respect.!” Why are we moaning? We trained them to be this way.

Supports “covenant marriage”

Purpose of marriage is loving relationship, not happiness

One of the reasons so many marriages fail is that couples have accepted the myth that the purpose of marriage is to be happy. If the expectations for a marriage arise from a sentimental love story filled with constant excitement, adventure, and romance, the couple is headed for disappointment.

By saying the purpose of marriage is not to be happy, I’m not suggesting the primary goal of marriage is misery. The purpose of marriage is to establish a relationship in which we learn to love another person in the sacrificial and unselfish manner that God loves us.

Sensuality-saturated society trades love for lust

Defenders of pornography point to the Constitution. Indeed, the First Amendment protects material that is offensive. But repeated Supreme Court decisions have affirmed that obscenity is not protected free speech. Even if the Constitution did allow child pornography, bestiality, and female mutilation, for people of faith there is a document more binding than the Constitution. We trade a legacy of love for a legacy of lust in this sensuality-saturated society.

Porn industries make billions; but damage America morally

The "sexual revolution" has come and gone, leaving in its wake innumerable casualties as all revolutions are wont do to. Americans are damaged morally: only 31% of American women wait until marriage before engaging in sexual relations, while only 20% of men do. Perhaps we should not be surprised that more than half of all marriages in America today fail within the first 7 years since they are on shaky ground before they even begin.

Yes, we legislate morality; including "victimless" crimes

"And besides," we carefully reason, "you can't legislate morality in a modern pluralistic society."

On the contrary, that's what legislation is. It is the codification in law of some particular moral concern, composed and enforced so that the immorality of a few is not inflicted on the many. Legislating morality is the very cornerstone of justice.

Thus, the question is not, "Should we legislate morality?" Rather, it is, "What moral standard should we use when we legislate?" Will it be the unwavering, unerring prescription for justice of the Judeo-Christian tradition or will it be the ever-changing notions of society?

Sexual "revolution" causes illegitimacy & family dysfunction

There have been innumerable unexpected, unintended, and unwanted results. Teen pregnancies. Family disintegration. Women-headed homes. Illegitimacy. Male irresponsibility.

The sexual revolution spawned a situation where men freely accepted the pleasures and privileges of intimacy without having to accept any of its responsibilities. Women were left holding the baby. Literally.

Government can't replace family as building block of society

1. Family life provides us with a proper sense of identity.
2. Family life provides us with a genuine social security.
3. Family life provides the accountability and discipline we need.

Family breakdown is symptom; disease is lack of character

One of the most important tasks of the working group will be finding ways to counteract the barrage of violence children encounter in today's culture.

We'll study if new laws are needed and old laws need changing. But we shouldn't kid ourselves. The best way to change a child's heart isn't by changing the law. The best way to mold a child's character isn't to create more legislation. And the best people to teach children right from wrong aren't politicians in Little Rock or Washington. Parents must love their kids, and society must support parents. Anything else is doomed to failure.

Any time children kill children, you know there's a problem. However, it's important that we don't let the murderous actions of a few blind us to the goodness of the many.

Encourage fathers' participation in child-raising.

The Issue

NGA’s Position

Federal funds & state involvement in fatherhood initiatives.

The nation’s Governors recognize that governments at all levels can and should take immediate action including:
• providing additional education and information about the importance of fathers participating in raising their children;
• establishing a nongovernmental national clearinghouse to collect and disseminate information regarding responsible fatherhood;
• expanding efforts to prevent unintended and out-of-wedlock teen pregnancies;
• providing children with appropriate adult male role models, such as mentors, in the absence of a caring father;
• ensuring that young men are given opportunities to feel successful and valued, which will lead to the development of self-confidence and preparation for fatherhood;
• encouraging the involvement of the community, including the religious community, civic community, business community, and mentors in addressing the importance of father involvement;
• developing strategies that include both parents in activities focused on their children, such as training service providers and educators to include both parents in their service delivery;
• working with private employers and the education community to provide education and job training opportunities to unemployed, underemployed, and low-skilled fathers; and
• paternity establishment and child support enforcement efforts.

Any new federal funding stream designated for fatherhood initiatives should:
• support programs in states, at the discretion of each Governor, that encourage appropriate involvement of both parents in the life of a child, with priority given to programs that specifically address the issue of fatherhood;
• be coordinated with existing fatherhood programs, as well as with other federal funds that can be used for fatherhood initiatives, such as TANF; and
• not be funded at the expense of another vital human service program.